FA Cup Weekend: Best Bets for the Televised Action

Early January can mean only one thing on the football front. It's time for the Premier League to take a back seat as the oldest knockout cup competition takes centre stage. With the big guns joining the football league and non-league sides, FA Cup third round weekend is always amongst the most anticipated of the year, as the stage is set for mouthwatering clashes between Premier League sides and a giant-killing or two.

This year’s third draw certainly hasn’t disappointed, with several absolute crackers in store – ranging from fierce local rivalries to a heavyweight showdown between two of the current top four sides in the Premier League. Here, using data presented by newbettingsites.co.uk, we pick out our best bets in four of the live televised encounters.

Friday 8:00 pm – Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley

First up, this all-Premier League clash from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Ange Postecoglu and Spurs welcome Vincent Kompany and Burnley to North London. Spurs may have dipped a little below their electric early-season form but are still fifth in the table. Burnley, meanwhile, sit above only Sheffield United, having struggled to adjust to life back in the top flight.

These two sides have already met this season in what turned out to be a game to forget for the Clarets, as Spurs ran riot in a 5-2 win at Turf Moor. Now playing away from home, is there any reason to expect Burnley to fare any better?

Spurs have won seven of 10 in front of their own fans this season – including each of their last three – and scored two or more in all seven of those wins, with an average of 2 goals per game overall. They have, however, been vulnerable at the other end of the pitch, with only two clean sheets and an average of 1.30 goals against per game.

Burnley were a little unfortunate to lose late at Villa last weekend, but have failed to convince on their travels, with six defeats from 10 on the road in the league. Most concerningly, they have conceded two or more in half of those games, which doesn’t bode well against this attack-minded Spurs side. That said, they do at least come with some attacking bite, having averaged a goal a game away from home.

It’s hard to go against Spurs, who boast the edge in almost every position. However, they have problems at the centre of defence, so may struggle to keep a clean sheet. Take the hosts to come out on top in an entertaining affair.

• Best Bet - Spurs to win and over 3.5 goals in the game @ 19/10 with BetGoodwin

Saturday 12:45 pm – Sunderland vs Newcastle United

Possibly the fieriest of the third-round matchups comes in the early kick-off on Saturday afternoon with this huge North East derby. There will be little love lost when the Mackems and Geordies butt heads at the Stadium of Light, as the two sides meet for the first time since 2016.

As the Premier League side, Newcastle start as favourites despite being on the road, but the Black Cats may view this as the ideal time to take on Eddie Howe’s men. It’s fair to say that Newcastle have failed to hit the heights of last season, as an overload of fixtures, an ever-extending injury list, and a general loss of form have taken their toll. The Magpies have been particularly poor away from home, with one win, seven defeats, and two draws in the league – conceding two or more in eight of those games.

Sunderland have been a little mixed on home soil, with eight wins and five defeats in 13, but have generally been solid at the back in conceding more than once in only four of those games. This certainly won’t be easy for the Black and Whites

That said, Sunderland have been made to look ordinary against the better Championship sides this season – thumpings at Middlesbrough and Coventry come to mind – and, even with their injuries, Newcastle boast more attacking menace than those outfits. There may be problems in defence, so take the visitors to win and both teams to score.

• Best Bet - Newcastle to win and Both Teams to Score @ 23/10 with Midnite

Saturday 5:30 pm – Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa

We remain in the North East for the second of Saturday’s live TV games, as Michael Carrick and Middlesbrough welcome one of the most improved sides of the season, as Unai Emery and Aston Villa come calling.

Following a rocky start to the season, Boro rectified matters with a six-game winning sequence in the league, but have since found consistency hard to come by and head into this looking to bounce back from a 3-1 home defeat to Coventry. Overall, they have won only six of 13 at home in the Championship – scoring more than once in just 3 of those games. On the plus side, they have been solid at the back, with an average of just over a goal a game against, and five clean sheets.

With just one defeat in 12 in all competitions, Villa are riding the crest of a wave into 2024 and will be keen to keep the good times rolling. That said, they haven’t been quite at their best in their last three games – being held to a draw at home by Sheffield United, losing at Old Trafford, and needing a last-gasp penalty to see off Burnley. Averaging 3.30 goals per game, Villa’s away Premier League fixtures have tended to be entertaining affairs, creating an interesting clash of styles here.

If it comes down to a battle of which side is most able to impose their style on the game, we have to favour the Villains, who have been hugely impressive for the majority of the campaign. Villa boast far greater strength at the top end of the pitch, and if they can get in front, this may turn into a comfortable afternoon.

• Best Bet - Handicap Betting: Aston Villa -1 @ 6/4 with Midnite

Sunday 4:30 pm – Arsenal vs Liverpool

Last but not least, the big one, as Premier League leaders Liverpool travel to the Emirates to take on Mikkel Arteta’s faltering Arsenal side. Headed into the season, many expected the Gunners to be the biggest challengers to Manchester City, but it now seems likely that honour will fall to Juergen Klopp’s resurgent Reds.

The Gunners arrive on the back of successive defeats to West Ham and Fulham and just one win in their last six in all competitions. Despite those recent wobbles, their overall record at home is excellent. Arsenal have won eight of 10 on home soil in the league, scoring two or more eight times and conceding more than once on only three occasions. They will also draw encouragement from the fact that they beat Liverpool here last season and have since earned a point at Anfield on two occasions.

With just one defeat in 12 in all competitions, Liverpool boast the edge on current form. The away record of the Reds also stacks up well, with just one defeat in nine in the league, scoring two or more six times and conceding more than once only twice.

We would favour Liverpool at full strength, but there will be a key absentee here as Mo Salah is off to the African Cup of Nations. The Egyptian King continues to be the man who makes the Reds tick in the final third, and in his absence, they may struggle to find their usual flow. In a game of small margins, that may be enough to tilt matters in favour of the hosts.

• Best Bet - Arsenal to win and Both Teams to Score @ 13/5 with Midnite

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